The contestants on The Biggest Loser spend hours a day in
the gym with one goal in mind—to lose the most weight. But how
frequently should you exercise to drop pounds in the real world? For
Michelle Bridges, a trainer on the Australian version of the show and
author of Total Body Transformation, the amount of time you work out every week can unlock a key to weight-loss success that is about more than just caloric burn.
Bridge's magic number for her weight-loss clients: six days a week,
ideally for 50 to 60 minutes at a time. But while hours of exercise a
week will surely help you create a calorie deficit, that's not the only
reason the trainer wants her clients to find time for a work out almost
every day. "We're setting up habits and rituals," says Bridge. "Think
about the last time you had to psych yourself up to brush your teeth,"
she says. In other words, when your workout becomes just another part of
your day, you're more likely to do it without a second thought.
If the idea of almost-daily hour-long workouts sounds exhausting,
Michelle assures you that it won't feel like that. She recommends you
break up your workouts into three "hard" days of exercise, such as
interval training, along with two moderate days and one "passive" or
light-exercise day. "You don't have to train like an Olympian all the
time, but it's [about] building in those habits," says Bridge. "I
guarantee that someone who has the habit of training six days a week,
even if they miss a couple, is going to be more consistent than someone
who only trains three days a week." Just like how regular brushing
maintains your bright, healthy smile, a habitual workout routine will
produce real weight-loss results.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
The Surprising Reason Most People Get Cancer
Load up on plant food. Use your gym membership. Apply
sunscreen religiously. Steer clear of cigarettes. Taking on healthy
behaviors like these is supposed to lower your lifetime cancer risk.
Now, along comes a bombshell study that seems to suggest many of these
odds-lowering efforts are less impactful than you may have previously
thought: The study, from Johns Hopkins University, determined that
two-thirds of all adult cancer incidences can be attributed to random
gene mutations that drive tumor growth. In other words, most incidences
of cancer are caused by plain-old bad luck, according to study authors.
The study came about because researchers wanted to understand why some body tissues, such as those in the small intestine and pancreas, have higher cancer risk rates than others. So they tracked the number of stem cell divisions that happen across 31 tissue types, comparing these figures with the lifetime risks of cancer in these same tissues among American adults. The conclusion: The higher the number of cell divisions the tissue endures, the higher the cancer risk rate was. “Our study shows, in general, that a change in the number of stem cell divisions in a tissue type is highly correlated with a change in the incidence of cancer in that same tissue,” said study investigator Bert Vogelstein, M.D., the Clayton Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in a news release. The more cell divisions that happen, the greater the chance that a random mutation occurs—and malignancy develops.
So should you throw in the towel when it comes to healthy living since the study results imply that cancer is mostly out of your hands? That would be a resounding no. Though the researchers identified 22 cancer types with risk rates largely driven by random mutations, nine others—such as one type of skin cancer as well as head and neck, colorectal, and lung cancer—were tied to environmental factors you can at least partially control, in this case exposure to UV rays and smoking. These nine were also influenced by hereditary factors, which means that regular screenings can help you ID a tumor before it becomes life-threatening. Also, if you’re worried about breast cancer, this study offers no answers, as researchers didn’t look at breast tissue at all.
The other thing is, “random” mutations aren’t necessarily random at all, says David Katz, M.D., M.P.H, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center. Instead, they may arise as a result of lifestyle factors. “Mutation rates are higher in those exposed to toxins and lower in those exposed to health-promoting conditions,” says Katz. “Studies have already shown that cancer-promoter genes are turned off and cancer-suppressor genes turned on by healthy living; this doesn't change that."
Bottom line: Cancer is a collection of diseases caused in varying degrees by genetics, environmental factors, and the random gene mutations cited in the Johns Hopkins study. Since some cancers offer more leeway than others for you to reduce your odds, it’s smart to adopt healthy behaviors that could do just that: Stick to a diet low in animal fat and high in fruits and veggies, get regular physical activity, and minimize your exposure to UV rays and cigarettes, suggests the American Cancer Society.
Thanks for Reading........
The study came about because researchers wanted to understand why some body tissues, such as those in the small intestine and pancreas, have higher cancer risk rates than others. So they tracked the number of stem cell divisions that happen across 31 tissue types, comparing these figures with the lifetime risks of cancer in these same tissues among American adults. The conclusion: The higher the number of cell divisions the tissue endures, the higher the cancer risk rate was. “Our study shows, in general, that a change in the number of stem cell divisions in a tissue type is highly correlated with a change in the incidence of cancer in that same tissue,” said study investigator Bert Vogelstein, M.D., the Clayton Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in a news release. The more cell divisions that happen, the greater the chance that a random mutation occurs—and malignancy develops.
So should you throw in the towel when it comes to healthy living since the study results imply that cancer is mostly out of your hands? That would be a resounding no. Though the researchers identified 22 cancer types with risk rates largely driven by random mutations, nine others—such as one type of skin cancer as well as head and neck, colorectal, and lung cancer—were tied to environmental factors you can at least partially control, in this case exposure to UV rays and smoking. These nine were also influenced by hereditary factors, which means that regular screenings can help you ID a tumor before it becomes life-threatening. Also, if you’re worried about breast cancer, this study offers no answers, as researchers didn’t look at breast tissue at all.
The other thing is, “random” mutations aren’t necessarily random at all, says David Katz, M.D., M.P.H, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center. Instead, they may arise as a result of lifestyle factors. “Mutation rates are higher in those exposed to toxins and lower in those exposed to health-promoting conditions,” says Katz. “Studies have already shown that cancer-promoter genes are turned off and cancer-suppressor genes turned on by healthy living; this doesn't change that."
Bottom line: Cancer is a collection of diseases caused in varying degrees by genetics, environmental factors, and the random gene mutations cited in the Johns Hopkins study. Since some cancers offer more leeway than others for you to reduce your odds, it’s smart to adopt healthy behaviors that could do just that: Stick to a diet low in animal fat and high in fruits and veggies, get regular physical activity, and minimize your exposure to UV rays and cigarettes, suggests the American Cancer Society.
Thanks for Reading........
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
16 Cancer Causing Foods You Probably Eat Every Day
It’s probably not something you think about every day, whether or not
the foods you are eating could contain carcinogens, but with almost 1.5
million people diagnosed with some type of cancer just last year,
perhaps it’s time to look at what is in our foods that could be causing
such a huge number of new cancer patients. Here is a list of the top 10
foods that you most likely consume every day that may contain
carcinogens or be suspected of causing cancer.
First, let’s talk about the bag itself. Proved by Wikipedia, conventional microwave popcorn bags are lined with a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA). This is a toxin you can find in Teflon also. According to a recent study at the University of California, PFOA is linked to infertility in women. Numerous studies in lab animals and humans show that exposure to PFOA significantly increases the risk of kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas and testicular cancers. You can read more about this substance and the above mentioned studies at cancer.org.
Now, let’s talk about the contents. Although every manufacturer uses slightly different ingredients, most of them use soybean oil (a GMO product) as well as various preservatives such as propyl gallate, a chemical that is causes stomach problems and skin rashes. Now they don’t actually say they are using GMO corn kernels, but that’s because the government says they don’t have to. Even if they don’t use GMO corn, you can bet they aren’t using organic corn!
Also, applied to the popcorn itself, is a chemical called diacetyl. Use of this chemical caused Conagra Foods to remove it from their brand of popcorn, ACT, because it was causing lung diseases in the workers at their factory.
Atrazine is banned in European countries but still used here. This is a weed killer that causes severe problems in humans, especially in our reproductive capabilities.
A 2009 study found that when pregnant women drank water contaminated with atrazine, their babies had reduced body weights. Were you aware that the sewage from cities in the USA (nicely called bio solids) is used in the fields of farms in the USA as a form of fertilizer? You will never find organic food being cultivated in composted human sewage waste!
Conventional foods are also subjected to an enormous amount of these types’ chemicals as well as hormones, to make the fruit and veggies grow bigger. Apples are probably the worst offenders with pesticides showing on more than 98 per cent of all apples tested. Fruits with a 90 per cent positive rate of pesticide residue included oranges, strawberries, and grapes.
Washing fruit does not remove 100 per cent of the residue. Pesticides are toxic chemicals to insects as well as human beings.
Actually,
most canned foods are a concern because of what the can is lined with.
The lining of almost all canned foods are made with a chemical called bisphenol-A, or BPA.
A study published in May of 2013 by the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences showed that BPA actually affects the way genes work inside the brain of rats. Even the FDA agrees that there is a problem with BPA as it is supporting efforts to either replace or at the very least, to minimize the amounts found in canned foods. You know it must be bad when even the very lax FDA is concerned!
Tomatoes are exceptionally dangerous due to their high acidity, which seems to cause BPA to leech from the lining of the can into the tomatoes themselves. The level of BPA can be so high in fact; you should seriously consider not feeding them to children. Due to FDA laws, there are no standards for labeling BPA so simply because a can does not say it has it does not mean that it does not contain BPA. Be safe and avoid cans. Cook fresh or buy glass bottles.
What exactly are processed meats? This is a long list that includes,
but is not limited to, sausages, hot dogs, bacon, most lunch meats like
bologna or pimento loaf.Researchers who wrote in the journal
of BMC Medicine said that the excessive salts and chemicals that are
used when making processed meats are damaging to your health. The study
showed that 1 in every 17 people who were involved in the study died and
those who ate 160 grams or more of processed meats increased their risk
of early death as much as 44 percent within 12 years as opposed to
those who ate 20 grams or less. This study involved people from 10
European countries and went on for almost 13 years.
All these processed meats contain numerous chemicals and preservatives, including sodium nitrates, which make them, look appealing and fresh but are well known carcinogens. Smoking meats seem to be particularly bad as the meat picks up tar from the smoking process. Yes, tar, the same deadly ingredient that cigarette smoke contains.
Although
fish sounds like one of the healthiest foods possible, farmed salmon is
one you should avoid. Unfortunately, more than 60 percent of the salmon
consumed in the USA is farm raised.
These fish are fed unnatural diets and are contaminated with chemicals, antibiotics, pesticides, and other known carcinogens. They live in very crowded conditions which results in these fish having 30 times the number of sea lice than wild salmon. (Doesn’t that sound appetizing?) Farmed salmon are fed chemicals to make their meat that reddish pink color that should occur naturally but doesn’t because of the diet of chicken litter that they are fed.
Also, due to their diet, they have less of the healthy omega-3 that we think we are getting when we consume fish. Studies have also shown that farmed salmon contain high levels of PCB’s, mercury, and cancer causing dioxins. Avoid farmed salmon and buy it canned or look for labels in your market that state the fish you are buying is wild sockeye salmon.
Yes, we know, potato chips are cheap, great tasting, quick snack, however, the negative effects they have on your body may not be worth the little bit of pleasure you derive from these crispy snacks.Potato chips are high in both fat and calories, which are sure to bring on weight gain. A study done in the New England Journal of medicine found that eating just 1 once of potato chips per day caused an average 2 pound weight gain in one year. Besides being full of trans-fats which can cause high cholesterol in most people, they have excessive sodium levels which, for many people, cause high blood pressure.
Potato chips have artificial flavors, numerous preservatives, and colors as well, which is something else your body doesn’t need. Potato chips are fried in high temperatures to make them crispy but this also causes them to make a material called acrylamide, a known carcinogen that is also found in cigarettes.
It’s hard to say no to your kids demands for chips sometimes, therefore, as a sneaky alternative, buy them baked potato chips or tortilla chips which are at least lower in both fat and calories. Air popped popcorn and whole wheat pretzels are another healthier option. Or try baked apple chips or banana chips which are dehydrated. Both are crispy and are far healthier than regular potato chips.
Let’s
start from the point that all hydrogenated oils are vegetable oils.
Vegetable oils cannot be extracted naturally like butter is, vegetable
oils must be chemically removed from their source, and then they are changed to be more acceptable to consumers. They are frequently deodorized and colored to look appealing.
All vegetable oils contain high levels of Omega–6 fatty acids. An excess of Omega- 6 fatty acids cause health problems, such as heart disease and in increase in various cancers, especially skin cancer. You need a good balance of both Omega 3 and Omega 6. Try to get plenty of Omega 3 every day. You can do this in the form of supplements and grass fed meats, also fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel are a very good source of Omega 3.
Hydrogenated oils are used to preserve processed foods and keep them looking appealing for a long as possible. Hydrogenated oils influence our cell membranes’ structure and flexibility, which is linked to cancer.
Foods that are cured by use of nitrates
or nitrites act as preservatives as well as adding color to the meat.
Although nitrates do not cause cancer in and of themselves, under
certain conditions these chemicals change once they are inside the body
into N-nitroso composites. It’s this N-nitroso that is associated with a greater increase the risk of developing cancers.
Smoking foods such as meat or nuts causes these food items to absorb considerable amounts of the tar that smoke produces. Tar is a known carcinogen. Meats such as bacon, sausage, bologna, and salami are high in fat and salt. Pickled foods are also very high in salts.
There is overwhelming evidence that eating these types of foods greatly increases the risk of colorectal cancer and higher rates of stomach cancer. The rates of stomach cancer are much greater in places such as Japan where a traditional diet contains many foods that are highly salted, and/or smoked.
Most
of you have already heard by now that white flour is not a good thing,
but you most likely have no idea just how bad it really is for your
health. Refining grains destroys its natural nutrients. Mills are no
longer content with waiting for their flour to whiten with time; mills
now bleach flour with a chemical called chlorine gas.
The EPA states that chlorine gas is a dangerous irritant that is not safe to inhale and in large quantities can be lethal. White flour lurks in many processed foods. White processed flour has a very high glycemic rate which quickly raises the blood sugar level and insulin levels, which can be a direct cause of diabetes, not to mention it is believed that it spreads cancer cells by feeding the cells directly.
Cancerous tumors feed mostly on the sugars in your bloodstream. By avoiding refined grains such as white flour, you can avoid, or at the very least, starve tumors.
In a study done by Dr. Pusztai at the Rowett Institute in Scotland, rats were fed GMO foods, especially potatoes. ALL rats showed damaged immune systems, pre-cancerous cell growths, along with smaller brains and livers, in just the first 10 days of the project. American consumers believe that the FDA has approved these GMO foods and this is simply not the case.
The FDA has NO testing procedures for GMO foods, NONE. The only human study ever published showed that those foreign genes that are present in GM food transfer to the DNA in the bacteria in our digestive systems. We, the American consumer, are the guinea pig (or rat) in this case. Unfortunately, almost all grains, including soybeans, wheat, and corn, have been grown via GMO’s.
GMO’s do not have to be listed on food labels, so read carefully and look for labels that state the food is GMO free.
Refined sugars are not only known to spike insulin levels, but also to be the most preferable food for cancer cells, thus promoting their growth.
Cancers seem to have a sweet tooth. This is a known fact that has been around for many years. The Nobel laureate in medicine, German Otto Warburg, back in 1931, first discovered that tumors and cancers both use sugars to “feed” themselves and/or to increase in size. In order to proliferate, cancer cells seem to prefer feeding on fructose-rich sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS); the reason is that HFCS is being metabolized by cancer cells most quickly and easily.
Now it is clear why high-fructose corn syrup is considered the worst offender. And since cakes, pies, cookies, sodas, juices, sauces, cereals, and many other extremely popular, mostly processed, food items are loaded with refined sugars and HFCS in particular, this helps explain why cancer rates are on the rise these days.
In fact, artificial sweeteners actually make it even more difficult to control their blood sugar levels and worsen conditions that are related to diabetes such as cataracts and gastro paresis. Sometimes aspartame has been found to cause convulsions, which some people will mistake for an insulin reaction.
Not to mention that artificial sweeteners inhibit your body’s ability to monitor its daily calorie consumption and make the body crave even more sweets. Well, we’ve already discussed how refined sugars can cause cancer.
There is mounting evidence that the chemicals that make up these sweeteners, especially aspartame, break down in the body into a deadly toxin called DKP. When your stomach processes this chemical, it in turn produces chemicals that can cause cancer, especially brain tumors.
All “diet” food is chemically processed and made from super refined ingredients, excessive sodium levels, as well as artificial colors and flavors to make it taste good. Don’t ever forget, artificial anything is NOT real food! Although the FDA says that all these added chemicals are safe to eat, you might want to take their advice with a grain of salt. After all, don’t they also tell you that sugar and vegetable oils are safe to eat? (Not to mention GMO’s and fast food!)
There have been many studies that show that these additives, for some people, can actually be addicting. They feed that “feel good” part in your brain, similar to cocaine! Well, that actually makes sense because if you become addicted to these foods, the companies making them are certain to score a lot of money, aren’t they?
Be smart and eat nature’s own, natural “diet” food; fruits and vegetables! (Organic, of course!)
Alcohol use is the second leading cause of cancer, right behind tobacco use. While a moderate or low consumption of alcohol can be healthy and lead to a reduced risk of heart disease, excessive drinking is known to cause heart failure, stroke, and sudden death. In 2007, experts working for the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer looked at the scientific evidence regarding cancer and alcohol use from 27 different studies. They found sufficient evidence to state that excessive alcohol use is the main cause of mouth, esophagus, liver, colon, mouth, rectum, and female breast cancers.
Don’t fret! You can still enjoy that glass of wine with dinner, but, for your health’s sake, no more than one!
However, in a study done over a 10 year period, eating red meat every day, even a small amount, such as that quarter pound hamburger you like to enjoy at lunch, increased a man’s risk of dying from cancer by 22 percent and a woman’s chance by 20 percent. A separate research study has shown that eating a lot of red meat increased the risk of breast, prostate, and colon cancer.
Red meat seems particularly dangerous when talking about colon cancer. A study done in the US followed almost 150,000 people between the ages of 50 and 74. This study showed that the long term consumption of red meat significantly increased the amount of colon cancer found in the subjects studied. On the other hand, the long term consumption of fish and poultry appeared to be protective in nature.
Enjoy that T-bone, but not every night, perhaps not even every week. Save those steaks for a once in while treat and be sure you are consuming grass fed, organic beef for your best health.
Loaded with sugar, sodas are an empty source of calories that cause weight gain and contribute to the nationwide epidemic of obesity. Drinking large amounts of this rapidly digested sugar causes your blood sugar to spike which can lead to both inflammation and insulin resistance. Soda is often the root cause of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, which is when the contents of the stomach leak into the esophagus causing not only pain but an actual burning of the esophagus from stomach acid.
Although sodas are not a direct cause of ulcers, they are known to irritate and make those with ulcers have more pain. Sodas also contain artificial colorings and food chemicals like derivative 4-methylimidazole (4-MI); no wonder soda pop has been shown to cause cancer.
I know this was a rough one to grasp but I had to share this with you all.
Thanks for reading....
1. Microwave Popcorn
Those little bags of popcorn are so convenient to just stick in the microwave, you wouldn’t think for a minute that they could be dangerous to your health, but they are.First, let’s talk about the bag itself. Proved by Wikipedia, conventional microwave popcorn bags are lined with a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid ( PFOA). This is a toxin you can find in Teflon also. According to a recent study at the University of California, PFOA is linked to infertility in women. Numerous studies in lab animals and humans show that exposure to PFOA significantly increases the risk of kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas and testicular cancers. You can read more about this substance and the above mentioned studies at cancer.org.
Now, let’s talk about the contents. Although every manufacturer uses slightly different ingredients, most of them use soybean oil (a GMO product) as well as various preservatives such as propyl gallate, a chemical that is causes stomach problems and skin rashes. Now they don’t actually say they are using GMO corn kernels, but that’s because the government says they don’t have to. Even if they don’t use GMO corn, you can bet they aren’t using organic corn!
Also, applied to the popcorn itself, is a chemical called diacetyl. Use of this chemical caused Conagra Foods to remove it from their brand of popcorn, ACT, because it was causing lung diseases in the workers at their factory.
2. Non-organic fruits
Fruits that are non-organic are contaminated with some very dangerous pesticides such as atrazine, thiodicarb, and organophosphates, as well as high nitrogen fertilizers.Atrazine is banned in European countries but still used here. This is a weed killer that causes severe problems in humans, especially in our reproductive capabilities.
A 2009 study found that when pregnant women drank water contaminated with atrazine, their babies had reduced body weights. Were you aware that the sewage from cities in the USA (nicely called bio solids) is used in the fields of farms in the USA as a form of fertilizer? You will never find organic food being cultivated in composted human sewage waste!
Conventional foods are also subjected to an enormous amount of these types’ chemicals as well as hormones, to make the fruit and veggies grow bigger. Apples are probably the worst offenders with pesticides showing on more than 98 per cent of all apples tested. Fruits with a 90 per cent positive rate of pesticide residue included oranges, strawberries, and grapes.
Washing fruit does not remove 100 per cent of the residue. Pesticides are toxic chemicals to insects as well as human beings.
3. Canned Tomatoes
A study published in May of 2013 by the Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences showed that BPA actually affects the way genes work inside the brain of rats. Even the FDA agrees that there is a problem with BPA as it is supporting efforts to either replace or at the very least, to minimize the amounts found in canned foods. You know it must be bad when even the very lax FDA is concerned!
Tomatoes are exceptionally dangerous due to their high acidity, which seems to cause BPA to leech from the lining of the can into the tomatoes themselves. The level of BPA can be so high in fact; you should seriously consider not feeding them to children. Due to FDA laws, there are no standards for labeling BPA so simply because a can does not say it has it does not mean that it does not contain BPA. Be safe and avoid cans. Cook fresh or buy glass bottles.
4. Processed Meats
All these processed meats contain numerous chemicals and preservatives, including sodium nitrates, which make them, look appealing and fresh but are well known carcinogens. Smoking meats seem to be particularly bad as the meat picks up tar from the smoking process. Yes, tar, the same deadly ingredient that cigarette smoke contains.
5. Farmed Salmon
These fish are fed unnatural diets and are contaminated with chemicals, antibiotics, pesticides, and other known carcinogens. They live in very crowded conditions which results in these fish having 30 times the number of sea lice than wild salmon. (Doesn’t that sound appetizing?) Farmed salmon are fed chemicals to make their meat that reddish pink color that should occur naturally but doesn’t because of the diet of chicken litter that they are fed.
Also, due to their diet, they have less of the healthy omega-3 that we think we are getting when we consume fish. Studies have also shown that farmed salmon contain high levels of PCB’s, mercury, and cancer causing dioxins. Avoid farmed salmon and buy it canned or look for labels in your market that state the fish you are buying is wild sockeye salmon.
6. Potato Chips
Yes, we know, potato chips are cheap, great tasting, quick snack, however, the negative effects they have on your body may not be worth the little bit of pleasure you derive from these crispy snacks.Potato chips are high in both fat and calories, which are sure to bring on weight gain. A study done in the New England Journal of medicine found that eating just 1 once of potato chips per day caused an average 2 pound weight gain in one year. Besides being full of trans-fats which can cause high cholesterol in most people, they have excessive sodium levels which, for many people, cause high blood pressure.
Potato chips have artificial flavors, numerous preservatives, and colors as well, which is something else your body doesn’t need. Potato chips are fried in high temperatures to make them crispy but this also causes them to make a material called acrylamide, a known carcinogen that is also found in cigarettes.
It’s hard to say no to your kids demands for chips sometimes, therefore, as a sneaky alternative, buy them baked potato chips or tortilla chips which are at least lower in both fat and calories. Air popped popcorn and whole wheat pretzels are another healthier option. Or try baked apple chips or banana chips which are dehydrated. Both are crispy and are far healthier than regular potato chips.
7. Hydrogenated oils
All vegetable oils contain high levels of Omega–6 fatty acids. An excess of Omega- 6 fatty acids cause health problems, such as heart disease and in increase in various cancers, especially skin cancer. You need a good balance of both Omega 3 and Omega 6. Try to get plenty of Omega 3 every day. You can do this in the form of supplements and grass fed meats, also fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel are a very good source of Omega 3.
Hydrogenated oils are used to preserve processed foods and keep them looking appealing for a long as possible. Hydrogenated oils influence our cell membranes’ structure and flexibility, which is linked to cancer.
8. Foods that are highly salted, pickled, or smoked
Smoking foods such as meat or nuts causes these food items to absorb considerable amounts of the tar that smoke produces. Tar is a known carcinogen. Meats such as bacon, sausage, bologna, and salami are high in fat and salt. Pickled foods are also very high in salts.
There is overwhelming evidence that eating these types of foods greatly increases the risk of colorectal cancer and higher rates of stomach cancer. The rates of stomach cancer are much greater in places such as Japan where a traditional diet contains many foods that are highly salted, and/or smoked.
9. Highly processed white flours
The EPA states that chlorine gas is a dangerous irritant that is not safe to inhale and in large quantities can be lethal. White flour lurks in many processed foods. White processed flour has a very high glycemic rate which quickly raises the blood sugar level and insulin levels, which can be a direct cause of diabetes, not to mention it is believed that it spreads cancer cells by feeding the cells directly.
Cancerous tumors feed mostly on the sugars in your bloodstream. By avoiding refined grains such as white flour, you can avoid, or at the very least, starve tumors.
10. GMO’s
Genetically modified organisms, more commonly called GMO’s, are foods that have been modified by chemicals and grown with chemicals.In a study done by Dr. Pusztai at the Rowett Institute in Scotland, rats were fed GMO foods, especially potatoes. ALL rats showed damaged immune systems, pre-cancerous cell growths, along with smaller brains and livers, in just the first 10 days of the project. American consumers believe that the FDA has approved these GMO foods and this is simply not the case.
The FDA has NO testing procedures for GMO foods, NONE. The only human study ever published showed that those foreign genes that are present in GM food transfer to the DNA in the bacteria in our digestive systems. We, the American consumer, are the guinea pig (or rat) in this case. Unfortunately, almost all grains, including soybeans, wheat, and corn, have been grown via GMO’s.
GMO’s do not have to be listed on food labels, so read carefully and look for labels that state the food is GMO free.
11. Refined Sugars
Cancers seem to have a sweet tooth. This is a known fact that has been around for many years. The Nobel laureate in medicine, German Otto Warburg, back in 1931, first discovered that tumors and cancers both use sugars to “feed” themselves and/or to increase in size. In order to proliferate, cancer cells seem to prefer feeding on fructose-rich sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS); the reason is that HFCS is being metabolized by cancer cells most quickly and easily.
Now it is clear why high-fructose corn syrup is considered the worst offender. And since cakes, pies, cookies, sodas, juices, sauces, cereals, and many other extremely popular, mostly processed, food items are loaded with refined sugars and HFCS in particular, this helps explain why cancer rates are on the rise these days.
12. Artificial Sweeteners
Most people use artificial sweeteners to either lose weight or because they are diabetic and must avoid sugar. The main problem in all this is that there are numerous studies that show people who consume artificial sweeteners on a regular basis, such as in sodas, or coffee sweeteners, actually gain weight. It also does little or nothing to help those with diabetes.In fact, artificial sweeteners actually make it even more difficult to control their blood sugar levels and worsen conditions that are related to diabetes such as cataracts and gastro paresis. Sometimes aspartame has been found to cause convulsions, which some people will mistake for an insulin reaction.
Not to mention that artificial sweeteners inhibit your body’s ability to monitor its daily calorie consumption and make the body crave even more sweets. Well, we’ve already discussed how refined sugars can cause cancer.
There is mounting evidence that the chemicals that make up these sweeteners, especially aspartame, break down in the body into a deadly toxin called DKP. When your stomach processes this chemical, it in turn produces chemicals that can cause cancer, especially brain tumors.
13. Diet Anything
Diet foods, including frozen foods, or prepackaged foods labeled as “diet” or “low fat”, including diet sodas, generally contain aspartame, which is a chemical, artificial sweetener that we talk about in detail above. There are numerous studies showing that aspartame causes many diseases and sicknesses such as cancers, birth defects, and heart problems.All “diet” food is chemically processed and made from super refined ingredients, excessive sodium levels, as well as artificial colors and flavors to make it taste good. Don’t ever forget, artificial anything is NOT real food! Although the FDA says that all these added chemicals are safe to eat, you might want to take their advice with a grain of salt. After all, don’t they also tell you that sugar and vegetable oils are safe to eat? (Not to mention GMO’s and fast food!)
There have been many studies that show that these additives, for some people, can actually be addicting. They feed that “feel good” part in your brain, similar to cocaine! Well, that actually makes sense because if you become addicted to these foods, the companies making them are certain to score a lot of money, aren’t they?
Be smart and eat nature’s own, natural “diet” food; fruits and vegetables! (Organic, of course!)
14. Alcohol
An American study that followed the diet and lifestyles of more than 200,000 women for almost 14 years found that postmenopausal women who drank one drink per day or less had an almost 30 percent increase in breast cancer rates compared to women who did not drink at all.Alcohol use is the second leading cause of cancer, right behind tobacco use. While a moderate or low consumption of alcohol can be healthy and lead to a reduced risk of heart disease, excessive drinking is known to cause heart failure, stroke, and sudden death. In 2007, experts working for the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer looked at the scientific evidence regarding cancer and alcohol use from 27 different studies. They found sufficient evidence to state that excessive alcohol use is the main cause of mouth, esophagus, liver, colon, mouth, rectum, and female breast cancers.
Don’t fret! You can still enjoy that glass of wine with dinner, but, for your health’s sake, no more than one!
15. Red Meat
For those of you, who love your T-bone steak, calm down. There is evidence that shows that red meat is actually a good thing in your diet, in small, infrequent amounts, Grass fed beef contains conjugated linoleic acid that actually fights against certain cancers.However, in a study done over a 10 year period, eating red meat every day, even a small amount, such as that quarter pound hamburger you like to enjoy at lunch, increased a man’s risk of dying from cancer by 22 percent and a woman’s chance by 20 percent. A separate research study has shown that eating a lot of red meat increased the risk of breast, prostate, and colon cancer.
Red meat seems particularly dangerous when talking about colon cancer. A study done in the US followed almost 150,000 people between the ages of 50 and 74. This study showed that the long term consumption of red meat significantly increased the amount of colon cancer found in the subjects studied. On the other hand, the long term consumption of fish and poultry appeared to be protective in nature.
Enjoy that T-bone, but not every night, perhaps not even every week. Save those steaks for a once in while treat and be sure you are consuming grass fed, organic beef for your best health.
16. Soda Pop
Perhaps you heard about the recent study that was published in May in the American Journal of Nutrition? It found that people who consumed more than one soda per day had a higher risk of stroke than people who did not drink sodas.Loaded with sugar, sodas are an empty source of calories that cause weight gain and contribute to the nationwide epidemic of obesity. Drinking large amounts of this rapidly digested sugar causes your blood sugar to spike which can lead to both inflammation and insulin resistance. Soda is often the root cause of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, which is when the contents of the stomach leak into the esophagus causing not only pain but an actual burning of the esophagus from stomach acid.
Although sodas are not a direct cause of ulcers, they are known to irritate and make those with ulcers have more pain. Sodas also contain artificial colorings and food chemicals like derivative 4-methylimidazole (4-MI); no wonder soda pop has been shown to cause cancer.
I know this was a rough one to grasp but I had to share this with you all.
Thanks for reading....
Monday, January 12, 2015
8 Daily Habits That Blast Belly Fat
By David Zinczenko
If I were a wise, grizzled guru sitting on the top of some Himalayan mountain, and you traveled halfway around the globe to seek my wisdom, you’d probably be surprised by what I told you. My one secret for a better life—a healthier, wealthier, happier life—isn’t “Spend more time with your friends,” “Do what you love,” or “Find your higher power.” It’s this: “Lose your belly.” Because when it comes to physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, belly fat is more damaging to you than you would ever think.
Belly fat—what scientists call “visceral fat”— is the most dangerous fat there is. This deadly fat wraps around the organs deep in your abdomen, spiking your risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome. If you let that fat stay there, nestled on your lap, growing and making you sicker, there is no doubt about the consequences.
If I were a wise, grizzled guru sitting on the top of some Himalayan mountain, and you traveled halfway around the globe to seek my wisdom, you’d probably be surprised by what I told you. My one secret for a better life—a healthier, wealthier, happier life—isn’t “Spend more time with your friends,” “Do what you love,” or “Find your higher power.” It’s this: “Lose your belly.” Because when it comes to physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, belly fat is more damaging to you than you would ever think.
Belly fat—what scientists call “visceral fat”— is the most dangerous fat there is. This deadly fat wraps around the organs deep in your abdomen, spiking your risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome. If you let that fat stay there, nestled on your lap, growing and making you sicker, there is no doubt about the consequences.
BELLY FAT BLASTER #1
Have a Smarter Starter
A study printed in the journal Metabolism found that eating half a grapefruit before meals may help reduce visceral fat and lower cholesterol levels. Participants in the six-week study who ate a Rio Red grapefruit 15 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner saw their waists shrink by up to an inch, and LDL levels drop by 18 points. Researchers attribute the effects to a combination of phytochemicals and vitamin C in the grapefruit. Consider having half of one before your morning oatmeal, slicing a few segments for a starter salad, or eat one for a snack shortly before a meal. (P.S. A good snack is in the 100-250 calorie range.BELLY FAT BLASTER #2
Can the Canned Goods
What separates a healthy green bean from a not-so healthy one? About three aisles in the grocery store. Canned vegetables are typically loaded with excess salt and “flavor enhancers” like monosodium glutamate (MSG), which studies suggest may increase cholesterol levels and visceral fat accumulation. Just a half cup of canned cut green beans contains 380-390 mg of sodium—that’s more salt than you’ll find in a snack-size bag of Doritos! Go with fresh veggies instead—or you can find some of the cheapest and most nutritious produce just a few aisles along, in the freezer. In fact, a study by the University of Georgia found that amounts of vitamin A, C and folate in frozen vegetables are sometimes even greater than their fresh counterparts.BELLY FAT BLASTER #3
Swap Your Cup O’ Joe for Green Tea
Sipping on green tea throughout the morning has proven to shrink your gut. Thank the compounds called catechins, belly-fat crusaders that blast adipose tissue by revving the metabolism, increasing the release of fat from fat cells (particularly in the belly), and then speeding up the liver’s fat burning capacity. In a recent study, participants who combined a daily habit of 4-5 cups of green tea with a 25-minute workout lost 2 more pounds than the non tea-drinking exercisers. Meanwhile, a research team in Washington found that the same amount of coffee (5+ cups/day) doubled visceral belly fat.BELLY FAT BLASTER #4
Eat More Carbs—the Right Ones
It’s not carbs, per se, that lead to belly fat; but the type, researchers say. In fact, whole grains are a dietary staple of people with the littlest middles. A Tufts University study found that participants who ate three or more servings of whole grains per day (oats, quinoa, brown rice, wheat) had 10% less belly fat than people who ate the same amount of calories from refined carbs (white stuff: bread, rice, pasta). When it comes to diet, being unrefined is a good thing—the fiber fills you up.BELLY FAT BLASTER #5
Go (Wal)nuts
Dietary fats are kind of like lovers. Some of them make you a better person, and others—as you often discover too late—are catastrophically bad for your health. The absolutely worst match for your apple-shaped figure? Saturated fats. Saturated fats, like the kind you’ll find in baked goods and red meat, “turn on” certain genes that increase the storage of fat in the belly, researchers say. Polyunsaturated fats, on the other hand, activate genes that reduce fat storage and improve insulin metabolism. Try walnuts, one of the best sources of polyunsaturated fats, with about 13 grams per one ounce serving. Sprinkle a handful on your morning oats or entree salad for belly-busting benefits.BELLY FAT BLASTER #6
Make Room for Musical Fruit
There are diet pills on the market that actually work. They’re called beans. Researchers suggest beans, as they’re particularly rich in soluble fiber, can lessen the accumulation of abdominal fat deposits. A study by researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that for every 10-gram increase in soluble fiber eaten per day, visceral fat reduced by 3.7 percent over five years. Fill up, without filling out, with just 1/2 a cup of beans. If the musical fruits tend to leave you bloated, soak them overnight—that breaks down the gas-causing oligosaccharides.BELLY FAT BLASTER #7
Sprinkle Pepper on Your Meals
Meet piperine, the fat blasting ninja! A powerful compound found in black pepper, piperine has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine to treat multiple health conditions including inflammation and tummy troubles. But recent animal studies have found that piperine may also have the profound ability to decrease inflammation and interfere with the formation of new fat cells—a reaction known as adipogenesis, resulting in a decrease in waist size, body fat, and cholesterol levels. More pepper, please! And for a slim tummy, stay away from its evil sister, salt.BELLY FAT BLASTER #8
Swap Cooking Oils for Coconut Oil
What smells like an exotic vacation and can shrink your waist faster than your favorite Zumba class? You got it: coconut oil. A study of 30 men in the journal Pharmacology found that just 2 tablespoons per day reduced waist circumference by an average of 1.1 inches over the course of a month. What makes coconut oil superior to other fats is its medium chain triglycerides. Unlike the long-chain fatty acids found in animal sources of saturated fat, coconut oil doesn’t seem to raise your cholesterol and is more likely to be burned as energy than stored as blubber. At roughly 117 calories per tablespoon, it’s a near identical caloric swap for olive oil. Plus, its high smoke point makes coconut oil great for just about every dish, from eggs to stir-frys. Thanks for Reading....Friday, January 9, 2015
12 Weight Loss Tricks That Slashes 1,000 Calories
Suddenly, those healthy New Year’s resolutions you made will seem a
whole lot more manageable. One of these simple substitutions can even
save you as much as 1,000 calories! Let’s take a closer look at the
list, ranked from least to most frequently requested:
#12 Fruit instead of potatoes
Made with starchy spuds and loads of oil, the fat and calories can add up quickly in an order of breakfast potatoes. Typing in a request for a fruit salad instead will cut 125 calories from your plate and add a host of vital vitamins and nutrients.
#11 Salad instead of fries
It may seem obvious, but asking for salad instead of fries is a really smart move. Why? Because if an order of the salty sticks shows up at your doorstep, they will be nearly impossible to resist. One medium order will run you 330 to 430 calories. A side salad with croutons and a reasonable amount of dressing, on the other hand, is a mere 210 calories. That’s an easy 220 calories savings.
#10 Easy rice
Restaurants sometimes add huge mounds of rice to take-out trays to make the meal portions look more generous. But all they are really doing is serving up is empty-calories your body doesn’t need. Asking the kitchen to go easy on the rice is a smart move that will save you 85 to 215 calories, depending on how much they hold back and what type of rice is being served.
#9 Egg whites
Opting for egg whites over whole is a popular breakfast choice among calorie-conscious diners. Though many restaurants are adding egg white omelets to their delivery menus, you can always ask for this calorie-cutting customization if your favorite delivery joint doesn’t explicitly list them on their menu. While the yolk does provide important nutrients like calcium, iron, folate and omega-3 fatty acids, it also delivers three-quarters of the egg’s calories. For every egg in your omelet that comes without the yellow center, you’ll eliminate 55 calories from your plate. In an average three egg omelet that’s 165 calories saved.
#8 No bread
We know, we know, the dinner rolls are the best part of the meal. They’re so fluffy. So salty. So warm and delicious. They’re also void of any major nutritional benefits. Plus, they won’t do your waistline any favors. The average take-out order comes with about four rolls, each coming in between 75 and 110 calories. Requesting the bread stay in the kitchen means 440 fewer calories could be delivered to your front door.
#7 Easy or no oil
The average restaurant dish that’s been cooked in oil is soaked in two to four tablespoons of the stuff plus whatever soggy residue has been left in the pan. That means a whopping 500 calories of oil could be lurking in your take-out order. If you request the chef cut back on the fat, it could slash 250 calories or more from your order without dramatically altering the taste of the dish.
#6 Steamed
Steaming is one of the healthiest forms of cooking out there. Since it relies solely on water to get the job done, there are no extra calories or fat that wind up on your plate. Tempura vegetables are a popular appetizer order from Japanese restaurants, but just one piece of the crispy eggplant variety (many people’s all time favorite) has 40 calories and 3.1 grams of fat! An order of steamed eggplant, however, has a mere 30 calories per half cup and not a stitch of fat. By going this route, you could easily slash 110 calories for each half-cup of veggies on your plate.
#5 Brown rice (instead of white)
Not only does brown rice have a great nutty taste, it’s also packed with belly-filling fiber and cholesterol-lowering vitamin B3. All wonderful nutrients that its white, fluffy counterpart doesn’t boast as much of. Plus, opting for the whole grains over white saves 26 calories and 8.5 grams of carbohydrates per cup. It’s a win-win.
#4 Easy or no mayo
Mayonnaise seems to sneak its way into everything from sandwiches and burgers to calamari and sushi sauces. A mere two tablespoons of the stuff (what you’d typically find on a small burger) is 188 calories, all of which come from fat. Just think about that for a second. It’s 100 percent fat— and not the heart-healthy kind. Larger sandwiches and dishes can have up to four tablespoons of the artery-clogging spread. Putting in a request for the kitchen to go easy on the mayo is a no-sacrifice request will help you dodge just under 200 calories. While axing the spread altogether could nix 375 calories from your plate in as little effort as it takes to send a text message.
#3 Easy or no cheese
Nixing the slice of cheese from your sandwich or burger saves up to 115 calories. Often times though, sandwich shops will throw two or three pieces between the bread so, in reality, the calorie savings is even greater. But what about pastas, salads and Mexican dishes that are often smothered in cheese? The average recipe contains about 3 or 4 ounces of the gooey stuff, so asking for easy or no cheese means that 280 to 560 calories could be eliminate from your plate. If you typically order a cheese-laden dish once a week that translates to two pounds lost off your frame in a mere three and a half months, even if you have your order delivered instead of picking it up.
#2 Dressing on the side
When a chef dresses your take-out salad for you, you’re apt to get four to five fat and calorie-laden tablespoons of the stuff suffocating your once-nutritious vegetables. If you order a creamy dressing like Caesar, that would run you about 400 calories. Those who ask for their dressing on the side, however, could slash their calorie intake in half. For that Caesar salad, that translates to 200 fewer calories on your plate that would eventually end up on your belly and thighs. Bonus: your salad won’t get soggy during delivery.
#1 Sauce on the side
Topping the list of the most common special requests is sauce on the side. Restaurants tend to drown their dishes in deep, treacherous pools of oil, cream, butter and sugar— all of which are calorically dense and offer little to no nutritional benefits. Special ordering it on side can save you up to 1,000 calories per dish. Yes, you read that correctly, 1,000 calories! Over a course of a year, that could equal major weight loss delivered right to your door.
Thanks for Reading.....
#12 Fruit instead of potatoes
Made with starchy spuds and loads of oil, the fat and calories can add up quickly in an order of breakfast potatoes. Typing in a request for a fruit salad instead will cut 125 calories from your plate and add a host of vital vitamins and nutrients.
#11 Salad instead of fries
It may seem obvious, but asking for salad instead of fries is a really smart move. Why? Because if an order of the salty sticks shows up at your doorstep, they will be nearly impossible to resist. One medium order will run you 330 to 430 calories. A side salad with croutons and a reasonable amount of dressing, on the other hand, is a mere 210 calories. That’s an easy 220 calories savings.
#10 Easy rice
Restaurants sometimes add huge mounds of rice to take-out trays to make the meal portions look more generous. But all they are really doing is serving up is empty-calories your body doesn’t need. Asking the kitchen to go easy on the rice is a smart move that will save you 85 to 215 calories, depending on how much they hold back and what type of rice is being served.
#9 Egg whites
Opting for egg whites over whole is a popular breakfast choice among calorie-conscious diners. Though many restaurants are adding egg white omelets to their delivery menus, you can always ask for this calorie-cutting customization if your favorite delivery joint doesn’t explicitly list them on their menu. While the yolk does provide important nutrients like calcium, iron, folate and omega-3 fatty acids, it also delivers three-quarters of the egg’s calories. For every egg in your omelet that comes without the yellow center, you’ll eliminate 55 calories from your plate. In an average three egg omelet that’s 165 calories saved.
#8 No bread
We know, we know, the dinner rolls are the best part of the meal. They’re so fluffy. So salty. So warm and delicious. They’re also void of any major nutritional benefits. Plus, they won’t do your waistline any favors. The average take-out order comes with about four rolls, each coming in between 75 and 110 calories. Requesting the bread stay in the kitchen means 440 fewer calories could be delivered to your front door.
#7 Easy or no oil
The average restaurant dish that’s been cooked in oil is soaked in two to four tablespoons of the stuff plus whatever soggy residue has been left in the pan. That means a whopping 500 calories of oil could be lurking in your take-out order. If you request the chef cut back on the fat, it could slash 250 calories or more from your order without dramatically altering the taste of the dish.
#6 Steamed
Steaming is one of the healthiest forms of cooking out there. Since it relies solely on water to get the job done, there are no extra calories or fat that wind up on your plate. Tempura vegetables are a popular appetizer order from Japanese restaurants, but just one piece of the crispy eggplant variety (many people’s all time favorite) has 40 calories and 3.1 grams of fat! An order of steamed eggplant, however, has a mere 30 calories per half cup and not a stitch of fat. By going this route, you could easily slash 110 calories for each half-cup of veggies on your plate.
#5 Brown rice (instead of white)
Not only does brown rice have a great nutty taste, it’s also packed with belly-filling fiber and cholesterol-lowering vitamin B3. All wonderful nutrients that its white, fluffy counterpart doesn’t boast as much of. Plus, opting for the whole grains over white saves 26 calories and 8.5 grams of carbohydrates per cup. It’s a win-win.
#4 Easy or no mayo
Mayonnaise seems to sneak its way into everything from sandwiches and burgers to calamari and sushi sauces. A mere two tablespoons of the stuff (what you’d typically find on a small burger) is 188 calories, all of which come from fat. Just think about that for a second. It’s 100 percent fat— and not the heart-healthy kind. Larger sandwiches and dishes can have up to four tablespoons of the artery-clogging spread. Putting in a request for the kitchen to go easy on the mayo is a no-sacrifice request will help you dodge just under 200 calories. While axing the spread altogether could nix 375 calories from your plate in as little effort as it takes to send a text message.
#3 Easy or no cheese
Nixing the slice of cheese from your sandwich or burger saves up to 115 calories. Often times though, sandwich shops will throw two or three pieces between the bread so, in reality, the calorie savings is even greater. But what about pastas, salads and Mexican dishes that are often smothered in cheese? The average recipe contains about 3 or 4 ounces of the gooey stuff, so asking for easy or no cheese means that 280 to 560 calories could be eliminate from your plate. If you typically order a cheese-laden dish once a week that translates to two pounds lost off your frame in a mere three and a half months, even if you have your order delivered instead of picking it up.
#2 Dressing on the side
When a chef dresses your take-out salad for you, you’re apt to get four to five fat and calorie-laden tablespoons of the stuff suffocating your once-nutritious vegetables. If you order a creamy dressing like Caesar, that would run you about 400 calories. Those who ask for their dressing on the side, however, could slash their calorie intake in half. For that Caesar salad, that translates to 200 fewer calories on your plate that would eventually end up on your belly and thighs. Bonus: your salad won’t get soggy during delivery.
#1 Sauce on the side
Topping the list of the most common special requests is sauce on the side. Restaurants tend to drown their dishes in deep, treacherous pools of oil, cream, butter and sugar— all of which are calorically dense and offer little to no nutritional benefits. Special ordering it on side can save you up to 1,000 calories per dish. Yes, you read that correctly, 1,000 calories! Over a course of a year, that could equal major weight loss delivered right to your door.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
11 Foods and Drinks Nutritionists and Dietitians Won't Touch
Please Note: This is an Article by "Eat This, Not That" and it pains me as it will you when coming to some of the foods to avoid. Enjoy
What do ketchup and cereal have in common? Nutritionists won’t eat them.
Imagine that you were given the opportunity to peek into the daily diets of nine top-notch nutritionists and dietitians. What would you take note of? Likely not the array of fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, dairy and healthy fats on their plates— that’s practically a given. What you’d really want to hone in on was all the things they didn’t let pass their lips!
If eaten in moderation, many experts feel there is a place for just about every food in a balanced diet. But as it turns out, there are a number of foods out there that they personally wouldn’t let into their grocery cart, let alone their mouth. Some are in line with what you might expect—but others are pretty surprising (like cereal!). Although, you may not be ready to give up your Frosted Flakes quite yet, get a sneak peak into the eating habits of those who live and breathe nutrition daily. Check it out...
“Spam is high in both blood pressure-spiking sodium and artery-clogging fat, which no one really needs to be eating more of. Unless you're saving in for a horrific power outage, there are better canned proteins to choose from!” - Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, President and Founder of Toby Amidor Nutrition
Thanks ...
What do ketchup and cereal have in common? Nutritionists won’t eat them.
Imagine that you were given the opportunity to peek into the daily diets of nine top-notch nutritionists and dietitians. What would you take note of? Likely not the array of fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean meats, dairy and healthy fats on their plates— that’s practically a given. What you’d really want to hone in on was all the things they didn’t let pass their lips!
If eaten in moderation, many experts feel there is a place for just about every food in a balanced diet. But as it turns out, there are a number of foods out there that they personally wouldn’t let into their grocery cart, let alone their mouth. Some are in line with what you might expect—but others are pretty surprising (like cereal!). Although, you may not be ready to give up your Frosted Flakes quite yet, get a sneak peak into the eating habits of those who live and breathe nutrition daily. Check it out...
Granola
“One of the leading health food impostors, this common yogurt and ice cream topper has nearly 600 calories, 30 grams of fat, and 24 grams of sugar in one tiny cup. That’s the equivalent of eating not one, but two slices of cheesecake. Which would you prefer? While some granola brands do offer up some nutrition such as fiber, protein and iron, the cons certainly outweigh the pros here. Switch to a lighter alternative like Cheerios or Special K. They pack the same satisfying crunch with a fraction of the calories, fat and sugar.” - Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., founder of The NY Nutrition GroupEgg Beaters
“Eggs that come out of a container are not a health food. Heat pasteurized and made from factory-farmed eggs, this product is processed so much that makers actually have to add in synthetic vitamins to boost its nutrient density. This is as far removed from a natural egg as you can get.” - Dana James CDN, a nutritionist from Food Coach NYCKetchup
“Sure it tastes good on just about everything, but what you might not realize is how quickly the sugar and calories in ketchup can accumulate. Just one measly tablespoon has up to four grams of sugar and 20 calories—which might not seem like a lot—but the average consumer will douse their food with at least four or five. Plus, it’s loaded with high fructose corn syrup, which has been shown to increase appetite and, over time, lead to health problems such as obesity and diabetes. If you really can't live without the stuff, use an all-natural version with no added sugar, chemicals or HFCS.” - Lisa Moskovitz, R.D., founder of The NY Nutrition GroupJuice
“Juice is just a sugary beverage masked to be a healthy. Although there are some vitamins in it because of its fruit content, some varieties have just as much sugar as a soda. Plus, when you transform produce into juice, you take away its fiber—one of the major benefits of consuming whole fruits and vegetables.” - Leah Kaufman, MS, RD, CDN a New York City-based Registered DietitianSpam
“Spam is high in both blood pressure-spiking sodium and artery-clogging fat, which no one really needs to be eating more of. Unless you're saving in for a horrific power outage, there are better canned proteins to choose from!” - Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, President and Founder of Toby Amidor Nutrition
Cold Cereal
“Most cold cereals are carb-laden, sweet and highly processed. They are definitely not the breakfast of champions—at least not thin champions. If you start your day with a bowl, you will continue to crave carbs as the day goes on. Plus, since it’s not particularly satiating, you will likely be hungry just two hours later.” - Lauren Slayton, MS RD, founder of FoodtrainersFlavored Coffee Creamer
“I avoid flavored coffee creamers because they are filled with fake ingredients that can do more harm than the flavor is worth. Packed with partially hydrogenated oils (which are just trans fats in disguise), artificial sweeteners, carrageenan and artificial coloring, this seemingly innocent coffee addiction can raise dangerous LDL cholesterol levels and increase the risk of blood clots and heart attack. The healthier choice would be a half and half that only lists milk and cream as ingredients.” - Gina Consalvo, MA, RD, LDN, Pennsylvania-based owner of Eat Well with GinaCheese Fries
“When I see cheese fries on the menu, I wonder why the dish even exists. They take a perfectly nutritious potato, deep fry it and then to top it all off, they load it up with salty, greasy, processed cheese. No, thank you.” - Christine M. Palumbo, MBA, RDN, FAND, a Chicago area registered dietitian and nutrition communications consultantHot Dogs
“When you’re grilling outside, hot dogs may be the first thing that comes to mind, but they should not be the first thing to hit your plate. Not only are they high in fat, one dog also has more than a quarter of the day’s sodium. Throw this salty dog in a bun and drown it in condiments, and you’ve got yourself a diet disaster. Not to mention, research has shown a correlation between processed meats and colorectal cancer.” - Jim White, R.D., personal trainer and registered dietitianNutella
“Nutella is one of those foods that people believe to be healthy because it contains a nut. Although hazelnuts are naturally healthy on their own, they lose their nutrients when they’re transformed into the sweet spread. With over 20 grams of added sugar and only two grams of protein, there’s little reason to indulge.” - Leah Kaufman, MS, RD, CDN a New York City based Registered DietitianCheesy Puffs
“First they crunch, then they melt in your mouth. Cheesy puffs may be delicious, but the unnaturally bright orange snack should be avoided. Not only do their scary chemicals make them totally addictive, but because they are made up of so much air, the brain can’t tell that the stomach is filling up even though the calories are adding up.” - Libby Mills, MS, RDN, LDN, Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsThanks ...
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